Collection by Tadashi Suzuki
A three-metre long rooflight above floods the kitchen with natural light.
Shoehorned into the back of a beautiful Edwardian terraced property, the existing studio was entirely unloved and underwhelming. However, there was opportunity in this property, which lay in its ‘good bones’ and the abundant, overgrown private garden.
Christian and Faye considered lots of different timbers for the interior finish, but finally chose Douglas Fir. ‘Oak would have been too yellow, and we loved the pinkish tones of Douglas Fir which we felt would complement the red and yellow brick of the existing Edwardian house.
The c-shaped kitchen is built from Ikea carcasses which were strengthen by the couple’s joiner to withstand the weight of the polished concrete worktops and clad in Douglas Fir plywood.
The Douglas fir ceiling with its exposed beams make sleeping area very restful, a feeling which is amplified when it rains and the light drumming is heard on the roof as though in a tent. A built-in wardrobe which serves the bedroom also acts as a division between the bedroom and the dining room.
Christian and Faye have the designs as well as the permission from planners, the freeholder and building control, to insert a pre-fab timber box into the dining area should they ever want to repurpose the space as a second bedroom.
A large picture window with built-in seating and storage underneath in the master bedroom frames the view of the luscious wild garden.
The Douglas Fir was sourced from Canada due to its tighter grain, stability, and potential long lengths, compared to a faster grown Scottish alternative.
Sinking the floor level meant the couple couldn’t have a raised ventilated floor, they had to have a ground bearing slab made up of a layer of concrete slab, insulation and then concrete screed above. Rather than add another layer of flooring on top, Christian and Faye decided to stick with the polished concrete floor, which reduced extra labour and material costs.
White sanitaryware was chosen for a clean, crisp finish and works perfectly with the raw concrete and wood finishes
The bathroom has been decorated in neutral colours to help create a clutter-free sanctuary. Hidden storage is built into the ceiling above.
The timber frame extension structure, along with all the doors and windows and insulation was prefabricated in a workshop in Devon, disassembled, transported, craned in and assembled on site in only four days.
The lime plaster that covers all the walls in the home have been left exposed, rather than painted over. ‘You can see every sweep of the trowel, which helps to capture the light differently to a flat painted wall,’ says Christian. ‘We love the raw finish that it provides.’
The entire thermal envelope has been upgraded with high performance double glazing and natural wood fibre insulation, chosen for its breathability, acoustic and thermal properties. MVHR provides fresh air throughout.
The kitchen is lower than the rest of the open-plan living area, helping to create distinct zones between the cosy living space and the practical cooking area. A three-metre long rooflight above floods the kitchen with natural light.
Nestled at the end of the extension, the secluded master bedroom sits within the garden, enveloped in sleek linear Douglas fir cladding.
